8 Little Known Uses for Sustainable Polyurethane

Bio-based polyurethane can be used for many applications, thanks in part to its flexibility and durability. Like all polyurethane, sustainable polyurethane can be used for:

1. Construction. The construction industry has long relied on polyurethane for insulation, structural elements, building components and more. As consumers get more interested in green and environmentally sustainable products, green polyurethane elastomers have offered architects and builders new solutions for clients. This versatile material can be used as substrates and more.
2. 3-D printing. 3-D printing today is used for everything from designing prototypes to printing action figures. Sustainable green polyurethane may offer new options for developing products made out of sustainable materials.
3. Furnishings. Sustainable polyurethane foam can give consumers another solution when they’re looking for green furniture options. As customers are concerned about the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their soft furniture, sofas and bedding, they are also getting more interested in green polyurethane foams.
4. Gel pads and rollers. Rollers are used in everything from print to industrial production, while gel pads are familiar to customers as solutions for everything from blisters to computer mouse pads. Traditionally, these products can’t make a claim for sustainability, but with bio-based polyurethane, there are new solutions for customers.
5. Greener electronics. As electronics become obsolete more quickly, a growing number of customers are concerned about how their cell phones, mobile devices, laptops, TVs and other products are recycled. Many customers don’t want to purchase products that end up in landfills for years to come. At the same time, more customers want to replace their electronics more frequently than in the past to take advantage of the latest apps and designs. Hard solid plastics made from green bio-based polyurethane can offer a more sustainable solution for electronic structural parts and bezels.
6. Footwear. Polyurethane is used in low density elastomers for footwear. Many customers are more interested in vegan products, as seen by the popularity of brands such as Stella McCartney and reviews by celebrities such as Alicia Silverstone and Ellen DeGeneres. Green polyurethane options for footwear allows manufacturers to produce products more customers are interested in.
7. Art. Artists today work with a lot more than just oils and canvas. Modern artists rely on foams and other materials for 3D pieces, and bio-based polyurethane is a flexible medium for works, especially appropriate for pieces about the environment.
8. Living walls. A current interest in vertical gardens, rooftop farming and other green ideas has meant a new use for green polyurethane. Bio-based polyurethane can protect surfaces and can be more water-retentive than other options. Sustainable polyurethane is also more appropriate for the design of living walls, which are often marketed as “eco-friendly.”

Acme-Hardesty is a leading green polyurethane supplier with more than 70 years of experience. Our most recent developments in renewable polyurethane have included parts made from castor oil, pale pressed castor oil and other materials. Contact us to learn more about how the benefits of our natural and sustainable polyurethane additives could be an advantage for you.